Charlie Blackmon announces retirement
DENVER – Colorado Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon announced today that he will retire from Major League Baseball following the end of the season. Blackmon will retire having played all 14 Major League seasons with the Rockies. The Rockies will celebrate Blackmon throughout the final series of the season this weekend at Coors Field and honor him prior to his final game, this Sunday vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers.
“When Charlie told me of his plans to retire I got a little emotional, as I’m sure many fans will when they see the news that one of the greatest Rockies of all-time will no longer take the field,” said Rockies Owner/Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dick Monfort. “It has been an absolute privilege watching Charlie’s career from start to finish here at Coors Field. Charlie’s passion and dedication to the game of baseball, this organization and our great fans was on display every single day and I can’t thank him enough for pouring his heart into every game and every at-bat over the course of his 14 years here. Charlie is a Rockie to his core, and although his playing days are over, he will continue to be a part of this team in a multitude of ways going forward. We look forward to celebrating Charlie throughout this weekend and we wish Charlie and his family nothing but the best in the years ahead.”
Blackmon, 38, has hit .292 with 991 runs scored, 1,797 hits, 333 doubles, 67 triples, 226 home runs, 797 RBI and 148 stolen bases in 1,618 Major League games, all with Colorado. The four-time All-Star (2014, 2017-19) and two-time Silver Slugger (2016-17) ranks in the top six in franchise history in triples (first), games played (second), runs scored (second), hits (second), doubles (second), extra-base hits (626, second), total bases (2,942, second), walks (482, third), RBI (fourth) and home runs (sixth). Selected by the Rockies in the second round of the 2008 First-Year Player Draft out of Georgia Tech University, the Atlanta, Ga., native helped lead the Rockies to consecutive playoff appearances in 2017 and 2018, winning the National League Batting Title in 2017 with a .331 average.
Blackmon will be available to the media to discuss his retirement on Tuesday, Sept. 24 at 2 p.m. in the Rockies interview room at Coors Field. Media without a Rockies season credential interested in covering the availability must apply for credentials at credentials.mlb.com.